Washington (February 13, 2024) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement after voting on the National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act.

“Early this morning, I voted with 69 of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass the National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act. The legislation addresses several key funding priorities, including $9.5 billion in urgently needed humanitarian assistance for civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, Ukraine, and other communities suffering in conflict zones around the world; $400 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to help mosques and synagogues across Massachusetts stay safe; $60 billion to support Ukraine as it fights back against Putin’s bloody invasion and protects its people; and critical provisions that recognize fentanyl trafficking as the dire national emergency it is.

“The package also includes conditional aid to Israel, which must adhere to international human rights law, U.S. law, and the law of armed conflict. As cemented by President Joe Biden’s National Security Memorandum, the extremist, right-wing Netanyahu government must cease indiscriminately bombing Gaza and protect Gazan civilians, expeditiously facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, and unequivocally commit that it will not engage in a forcible mass transfer of Palestinian civilians from Gaza. Congress will see to it that all conditions for U.S. aid are monitored, implemented, and enforced in order to ensure that the humanitarian and security assistance our allies desperately need is consistent with our American values and priorities.”

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